The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-09-29

greater number of soldiers, with Illinois
following, then probably Iowa and Mis-
souri,, and enough are from all quarters
to give good expression of opinion from
every department.
A petition is being generally signed ask
ing congress to pass till for the relief of
indigept veterans. Such bill, it is said,
will be,agreed upon by the encampment.
On the flag issue there is but one express
sion of opinion, and the subjecti is passed
over with the satisfied air that the flags are
still theirs.
The delegates to the convention have
been moving about visiting the different
bodies to-day and settling in their minds
the best man for the position of COM
mander in chief.
GENERAL SHERMAN,
it is understood, has declined to accept
the office under any circumstances. 1t is
generally conceded that he would be
chosen without opposition if he would ac-
cept. Among the other candidates there
appears to be no material advantage.
General Slocums friends are moving
everywhere, making determined fight
Their headquarters in the Southern hotel
are open at all hours, and engravings of
the candidates are placed in prominent
places. New York and the east have the
handling of his forces. General Grier and
Major Warner draw from the same Sec
tion of the country, both drawing from
the west. Their friends are busy, bu
| quiet. The Minnecota men have brought
out Judge John p. Rae, and his candi-
dacy he's somewhat changed the calcula
tions, as he will draw from all. Man!
predict the election of a dark horse.
woMEN's RELIEF CORPS.
Ths third natioual convention of thu
Womenss Relief corps meets at the sam'
time as the twenty first annual encamp
ment of the Grand Army of the Republic
Their convention will be called to order
at Harmony hall, at 10 O'Clock to-morro,
morning. President Mrs. Elizabeth
Darcy Kinna's report for the year jus
closed has been given out and shows
large increase of membership. In June
1886, there were 854 corps, with mem
bership of 36,500; in June, 1887, ther
were 1858 corps with 1924 members
The progress of the organization ha
been slowest in Maine and New Mexico
Ohio leads with 6,092 members, and Kan
sas follows closely with $3.50 members
and Michigan third with $500 members
During the past year $56, was distri
buted in charity. This does not represen
the thousands of visits to the sick ant
destitute, or the food and luxuries donated
The secretary reports the general fun'
on hand, 37,465; relief fund on hand
$36, $50.
PARALYSIS FAIRCHILD.
At 1880 p. IN. the aides of the staff o
Commander-in-C Chief Lucius Fairchild as
sembled at the generals headquarters a
the Southern hotel with their friends, an
presented to him beautiful badge of tn
past COMMUNICATIVE of the Gran
Army OF the Republic. The gold eagl
holds in it's talons the rank badge, sur
rounded by fringe of diamonds, anu i
the field four large gems are set in ssdr'
the stars dangling from the ribbon
studded with many gems, there bein
seventy zone diamonds in all.
Comrade John II. Cook, of Lafayett
post No 140, of New York City, men
Der of the staff, made the presentation
speech. General Fairchild was visibl
touched Sand in thanking his staff dis
played his attachment to the Gran
Army.
While friends we're extending con
gratulations, Comrade Cook, on behalf o
the state, presented a gold watch {
Adiutant Gray.